Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Erigeron pumilus 3 varieties, Distasis concinna, Erigeron brandegeei
Other common names
hairy fleabane
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Erigeron pumilus
Height
Up to 20 inches
Riparian
No
Woody taprooted plant with thick, short, ascending to erect stems that branch from a woody base. Branches are topped by nodding buds.
When flowering, the stems straighten and buds open to white, pink or light blue ray flowers with yellow disc flower.
Plants covered in stiff hairs, rays 50 - 100 and a much branched caudex (woody base) distinguish this from other Erigeron sp.
Habitat
Sandy to rocky slopes, crevices.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Flower heads are round. Ray flowers are reflexed or weakly coiled, number 50 - 100. Disc flowers are yellow and funnel shaped. Involucre phyllaries (bracts) are less than 1/4" long
and in 2 rows.
Flower color
Ray flowers are blue, pink or white
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Spreading hairs that are sometimes glandular. The plant is leafy throughout. Stem leaves the same size as basal leaves or only slightly reduced in size.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Papery bristles 7–15, outer series of prominent, wide scales less than 1/16 inches long.
Fruit type
Achene